When Lorin Nicholson was 16 years old he rode from Tamworth to Port Macquarie on a five-speed mountain bike, taking two and a half days to accomplish the 280km trek traversing some of the steepest mountain ranges in Australia.

While that sounds impressive, imagine how difficult it would be if the cyclist was legally blind.

Lorin Nicholson was born with a condition called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a genetic eye condition that causes the light-sensitive retina, located at the back of the eye, to degenerate slowly and progressively. While many people with RP retain limited vision throughout their lives, others will lose their sight completely.

When Lorin made that first journey from Tamworth to Port Macquarie, he did it as a personal challenge. He had only the company and encouragement of his loving father, John, who drove a support vehicle on that trip.

The second time round, Lorin had a larger support team, but the journey was no less inspiring, knowing this time he was riding to assist hundreds, if not thousands, of blind children and their families.

Lorin's father-in-law, Trevor Donaldson, was a teacher in Warwick, and invited Lorin into the classroom to play guitar for his students and speak to them about his life experiences. This exciting combination of music education and motivation launched Lorin on a new career path - that of a motivational speaker.

Not a day goes by that he doesn't pick up his Cort acoustic guitar and play, whether it's for family and friends, or to a full house at a concert hall, or the prestigious Sidney Myer Music Bowl, where on Christmas Eve 2006 Lorin performed at the Vision Australia Carols by Candlelight.

A gifted musician, Lorin has studied his craft with determination for 20 years, and has established himself as one of Australia's leading guitar players.

At the 2005 Golden Guitar Awards in Tamworth, Lorin was a finalist in the instrumental of the year category, which was won by guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel.

Lorin has recorded and independently released three albums of guitar instrumentals - Unwind: A Relaxing Guitar Odyssey, Summer Rain and Only You. These albums include several of Lorin's original compositions.

He has travelled the length and breadth of Australia telling his inspiring story of taking on life's challenges and tackling them one by one, and has also spoken to thousands of students and teachers in America.

The corporate sector utilises Lorin's amazing abilities to motivate and inspire staff at training sessions and seminars and he's a popular guest speaker at various charity and community events.

Lorin works from his home base in Brisbane, where he and wife Lisa, are raising their four children.